Though Everest Base Camp has always been the main attraction in Khumbu, the trek to Gokyo Ri is an exceptionally surprising alternative that many have found to be more rewarding. The valley of the Dudh Koshi hides her greatest secret and reveals slowly to only those who reach Gokyo Ri. The trail follows Sherpa villages, tea houses, lodges and rhododendron forests along the Dudh Koshi river and gradually ascends through thin air into the Gokyo valley. From the top of Gokyo Ri, the angle allows for the North Face of Everest to be seen as well as Lhotse, Makalu and to the north the great mass of Cho Oyu. The turquoise Gokyo Lakes that sit serenely below these icy giants makes for the most stunning panoramic view. For the braves who dare to start their climb to Gokyo Ri in the very early hours will be blessed with an awe-inspiring sunrise view over Khumbu. Visitors here have found the airy viewpoint to be better than from Kala Pathar. It’s been made popular recently by the likes of Travel Instagrammers like Sjoerd, who took fantastic photos of Gokyo Ri on his last trek in Nepal.

Essentially, the six Gokyo lakes started as glaciers a millennia ago and so the remaining body of water is ancient. It’s fascinating from a hydrological perspective because this system of lakes is a deep source of permanent freshwater fed by streams and glaciers from the surrounding mountains. Sitting at an altitude of 4,700 – 5,000m, these lakes are the world’s highest freshwater system and are seen as sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. Every year around the month of August, on a full moon day, Hindus take holy bath in the lakes during the festival of Janai Purnima (Sacred Thread of Purity and Security). Gokyo Ri is known for having formidable views of the turquoise blue lakes, and it’s a sight to behold.

Here is a general overview of the itinerary:

• Day 01: Fly to Lukla, Trek to Monjo (2850m)
• Day 02: Excursion to Thakchok Danda (3,000m)
• Day 03: Trek to Tashinga (3450m)
• Day 04: Trek to Luza (4360m)
• Day 05: Exploration & Acclimatization in Luza
• Day 06: Trek to Gokyo (4790m), afternoon exploration
• Day 07: Climb Gokyo Ri for sunrise (5357m), trek down to Machermo (4470m)
• Day 08: Trek to Tashinga (3450m)
• Day 09: Trek to Mende (3850m) via Khumjung and Kunde
• Day 10: Trek to Monjo (2850m)
• Day 11: Trek to Lukla (2743m) via Gumila
• Day 12: Fly to Kathmandu

This trip is a very short and sweet introduction into the Sagarmatha Region and is one area that not many explore, because most are interested in completing the EBC Trek, and to visit Gokyo Ri would be a 4-day extension to an already 15-16 day journey. You’ll be spending 5/6 nights in total comfort at our Everest Summit Lodges’ (in Lukla, Monjo, Tashinga, and Mende) and the rest of the journey will be in teahouses hand-selected by our travel experts in Nepal.

This trip can be fully supported by our Guides and Porters, so to learn more, send us an email and we can customize this trip for you!

Dingboche

This stunning bird’s eye view of the village of Dingboche (4,410 metres), taken from the viewpoint (5,050m) on the ridge of yak pasture above the village, offers a glimpse of the harsh living environment for the small settlements around Khumbu. Towered by majestic mountains and deep gorges, the region has very little grounds for farming and combined with a short harvesting period, the settlements here have very few options and even fewer stubborn residents. A 2011 census found that there were only 200 permanent residents in Dingboche.

Kala Pattar

Many thousands of trekkers come to Everest Base Camp, but did you know that the view of Everest is mostly obstructed by a smaller 7,861 metre Nuptse, a gorgeous equilateral triangle of a mountain, similar to the one we’ve all drawn as children? In fact, going up to Kala Pattar at 5,550 metres (400 meters above Gorakshep) has a rewarding and most unobstructed view of Everest. After a good night’s rest at Gorakshep, it is generally advised to hike up early in the morning or late afternoon to catch the fiery dance of colors that reflects across Everest during sunrise and sunset.

Tengboche Monastery With Amadablam In The Background

This photo was probably taken very early in the morning along the trail above Namche Bazaar. It’s a magnificent shot of the EBC trail as it snakes across juniper forest and climbs to Tengboche Monastery, but if you look directly below it, you can also see our Lodge, Everest Summit Lodges, Tashinga in view! At our lodge, we have a stunning vista of Thamserku and if you stay on the top floor, and keep the curtains open on a moon-lit night, the view is luminous.

The Lakes Of Gokyo

If you’re keen to get away from the seasonally crowded EBC trails, extending your trip to Gokyo is well worth it. The glacial lakes are some of the highest freshwater lakes in the world and are about 4,700 to 5,000 metres above sea level. The pristine blue waters, sometimes an emerald colour, should be one of the most photographed lakes in the world, but because of the allure of Everest Base Camp, few decide to take an alternate route to reach here. Sjoerd’s photo is such a love letter to this lake because it juxtaposes the drama of the mountains and the serene calm of the lake, and in doing so gets us to the heart of this stark environment.

Khumbila is a sacred mountain that overlooks the village of Khumjung, and stands at 5760 metres high, or 18,900 feet. It towers over the village of Khumjung, one of the more developed villages in the region, equipped with the Khunde Hospital. According to a story recounted by Susan Haydon in her book “Soundings in Tibetan Medicine”, a woman fell on a steep track and was unconscious for many days, around “Dumje” her husband went to go pray at Khumbila, the staff at the hospital went to go see the festival, and miraculously the woman awoke and walked home two weeks later. The main festival time is in November, called “Dumje”, where it is believed the god descends from his abode and dances in the local monastery.